• Rio Tinto je ugostio predstavnike nemačkog inženjerskog udruženja koji žele da razumeju potencijalne prilike za razvoj šireg lanca vrednosti u skladu sa planiranim otvaranjem novih rudnika širom Evrope
• Inženjering kao prvi korak u evropskoj trci za obnovu rudarske industrije u Evropi
• Novi pristup odgovornom rudarstvu zahteva primenu najsavremenijih inovativnih rešenja

 Rio Sava, registrovana kompanija Rio Tinta u Srbiji bila je domaćin predstavnicima Udruženja mašinske industrije Nemačke (VDMA) (The Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) koji su posetili dolinu Jadra u Loznici kao i naše kancelarije u Beogradu. U poseti su bili predstavnici 3.600 nemačkih i evropskih kompanija koji posluju u sektoru mašinske industrije a koje zajedno beleže promet u vrednosti od skoro 750 milijardi evra, sa ciljem da bolje upoznaju potrebe evropske rudarske industrije i povezane prilike za razvoj inženjerskog sektora. Veliki broj kompanija članica ovog udruženja kao što su ThyssenKrupp, Bosch i Voith su snabdevači značajnog broja komponenti u okviru proširenog lanca snabdevanja rudarske industrije i mogli bi imati ključnu ulogu u namerama Evrope da snabdevanje kritičnim sirovinama vrati na svoje tlo.

U okviru trodnevne posete, predstavnici udruženja prisustvovali su prezentacijama na kojima su imali priliku da se uvere na koji način tehnologija može pomoći u izgradnji planiranog rudnika i steknu predstavu o ulozi koju će tehnologija igrati u procesima prerade litijuma i bora, upravljanju otpadom i svođenju potencijalnih uticaja na životnu sredinu na minimum.

Dr Markus Virtz, predsednik Udruženja VDMA (The Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) za rudarstvo i minerale, izjavio je: „Zakon o kritičnim sirovinama Evropske unije pružio je novu nadu i podstrek evropskom industrijskom sektoru. Ako je Evropi potrebno veće snabdevanje kritičnim sirovinama sa sopstvene teritorije, neophodno je da Evropa ostane konkurentna, a za to su joj potrebni i tehnologija i najsavremenija inženjerska rešenja. Želimo da što bolje razumemo prilike koje otvara planirani razvoj Projekta „Jadar“ i drugih novih rudarskih projekata u Evropi kroz inovacije i uspostavljanje novih partnerstva.“

_{German national engineering association keen to understand potential opportunities for broader value chain as new mines look to open across Europe}

Dr. Marcus Wirtz, Chairman of VDMA Mining & Minerals, said: “The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act has given new hope and momentum for the European industrial sector. If Europe needs to onshore more of the raw materials it needs to stay competitive, it will also need the technology and cutting-edge engineering to help make it happen. We are keen to understand the opportunities that will stem from the Jadar project and other new mining projects in Europe through new innovations and partnership.”

Čed Bluit, izvršni direktor Rio Tinto Projekta „Jadar“, rekao je ovim povodom: „Kao jedan od najvećih planiranih novih rudnika u Evropi, Projekat „Jadar“ predstavlja izuzetnu priliku za Srbiju, kompaniju Rio Tinto i širi rudarski sektor ilustrujući kako izgleda savremena i visokotehnološka industrija. U saradnji sa partnerima, uključujući mnoge članove Udruženja za mašinogradnju i mašinska postrojenja Nemačke, posvećeni smo da izgradimo rudnik svetske klase u skladu sa najvišim standardima. Projekat „Jadar“ ima potencijal da postane ilustrativan primer odgovornog rudarstva naredne generacije. Udruženja poput VDMA upravo su došli da saznaju više o tome. Nažalost, pojedini protivnici projekta, koji nastavljaju da aktivno zastrašuju bilo koga ko želi da razgovara na osnovu činjenica, verbalno i fizički su pretili posetiocima i predstavnicima Rio Tinta. Rio Tinto oštro osuđuje bilo koji oblik pretnje, nasilje i zastrašivanja. Verujemo da i kada postoji neslaganje oko određenih tema, treba obezbediti uvažavajući, racionalan dijalog zasnovan na činjenicama i međusobnom poštovanju bez pretnji po ličnu bezbednost.“

VDMA visited the Jadar project as Europe looks to onshore its raw materials needs

• German national engineering association keen to understand potential opportunities for broader value chain as new mines look to open across Europe
• Engineering at the forefront of Europe’s bid to rebuild a mining industry at scale
• New approach to responsible mining will require high-tech innovative solutions

Belgrade, December 03, 2024: Rio Sava, Rio Tinto’s subsidiary in Serbia, has welcomed the German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA) to Loznica, in the Jadar Valley, and Belgrade. Representing 3,600 German and European mechanical and plant engineering companies, with a combined turnover of almost €750 billion, the delegation was keen to understand what future opportunities a European mining industry could provide for the engineering sector. Many of its members, such as ThyssenKrupp, Bosch, and Voith, are already supplying an important range of components within the extended mining supply chain and could be critical to any future onshoring of mining back to Europe.

Spread over three days, the visit included presentations on how technology will help build the new mine, and the role it will play in the future processing of lithium and boron, waste management and environmental impact mitigation.

Dr. Marcus Wirtz, Chairman of VDMA Mining & Minerals, said: “The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act has given new hope and momentum for the European industrial sector. If Europe needs to onshore more of the raw materials it needs to stay competitive, it will also need the technology and cutting-edge engineering to help make it happen. We are keen to understand the opportunities that will stem from the Jadar project and other new mining projects in Europe through new innovations and partnership.”

Chad Blewitt, Managing Director Jadar Project, Rio Tinto, said: “As one of Europe’s largest proposed new mines, the Jadar Project represents a significant opportunity for Serbia, Rio Tinto and the broader mining sector to illustrate what a modern, high-tech industry looks like. Working with many partners, including many members of VDMA, we are looking to build a world class operation to the highest standards. It has the potential to become a showcase for what next generation responsible mining could look like. That’s what organisations like VDMA are here to understand.Regrettably, certain project opponents, who continue to actively intimidate anyone wanting to engage in a fact-based discussion, verbally and physically threatened the visitors and Rio Tinto representatives. Rio Tinto strongly condemns any threats and acts of violence and intimidation. We believe it is possible to disagree on topics and maintain a respectful, rational dialogue based on facts and mutual respect without using threats to personal safety.”